Breakout table



Nov. 3, 1953 G. E. FAILING 2,657,903

BREAKOUT TABLE Filed Sept. 5, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 I2: I I

. l5 27 33 8a! a 3a I z I I 35 I7 1 II 20 85 86 [3' Snvgntor George E,mildly attorneys Nov. 3, 1953 G. E. FAlLlNG 2,657,908

BREAKOUT TABLE Tailed Sept. 3, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 5 3nventor AwniGttorneg;

Nov. 3, 1953 G. E. FAILING 2,657,903

BREAKOUT TABLE Filed Sept. 3, 1949 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Patented Nov. 3,1953 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE BREAKOUT TABLE George E. Failing, Enid,kla., assignor to The George E. Failing Supply Company, Enid, 0kla., acorporation of Oklahoma Application September 3, 1949, Serial No.113,973

7 Claims.

This invention relates to a breakout table used in conjunction with aportable drilling rig for disconnecting stands of drill pipe whenpulling drill pipe from a bore hole, the principal object being toprovide a breakout table adapted for operation under power of thedrilling head.

Other objects of the invention are to provide a breakout table thatforms a unitary part of a portable drilling rig and which is adapted tobe moved from a transport position, for road clearance, to a drillingposition, and from a drilling position to an out-of-way position whenrunning in casing or other objects into the bore hole too large to passthrough the breakout table; to provide the breakout table with hooksadapted to engage studs on the drilling rig for retaining the breakouttable in its drilling and transport position; to provide a breakouttable that serves as a spider when raising or lowering a drill pipe intothe bore hole; to provide the breakout table and rotary thereof with aratchet adapted to hold the pipe when the kelly is unthreaded therefrom;to provide a breakout table that can be used as an auxiliary drive ofthe Kelly rod of the drilling rig, and to provide the breakout tablewith a support for the Kelly rod when the breakout table is in transportposition.

In accomplishing these and other objects of the invention, I haveprovided improved structure, the preferred forms of which areillustrated in the accompanying drawings wherein:

Fig. 1 is an end view of a portion of a portable drilling rig equippedwith a breakout table embodying the features of the present invention,the table being shown in drilling position.

Fig. 2 is a side elevational view of the portion of the drilling rigillustrated in Fig. 1, the drilling head being shown in retractedposition with a Kelly rod connected in driving relation with thebreakout table.

Fig. 3 is a similar side elevational view but showing the drill head indrilling position, the respective carrying and out-of-way positions ofthe breakout table being shown in dotted lines.

Fig. 4 is a similar perspective View particularly illustrating the hingemounting of the breakout table.

Fig. 5 is an underneath plane view of a part of the breakout tableshowing the ratchet for looking the rotary member of the table when thekelly is to be unthreaded from the drill pipe.

Fig. 6 is a perspective view of the breakout table.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged longitudinal section particularly illustrating thedrive connection be- 2 tween the turntable of the breakout and the driverod of the drill head.

Fig. 8 is a plan view of the rotary element particularly illustratingthe drill pipe gripping slips.

Fig. 9 is a cross section through the slips illustrating the drill pipegripping rollers of the slips.

Figs. 10 and 11 show sectional views of different forms of drivingconnections between the drive rod of the drill head and the drivingmember of the breakout table.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of the driving member adapted for connectionwith the threaded end of a kelly rod when a kelly rod is used inconnection with the drill head.

Referring more in detail to the drawings:

1 designates the rear portion of a portable drilling rig, including aplatform-like frame 2, carrying spaced guide rails 3 and 4 slideablymounting a drill head 5 and whereon the drill head is moved from adrilling position to a retractive position. In a rig of this characterthe frame 2 is usually mounted on a motor vehicle chassis and the rearend of the drill head projects from the rear of the chassis to carry adrill pipe rotating mechanism \3 that is supported vertically betweenthe guide rails 3 and 4 on the chassis, as best shown in Figs. 1 and 2.In the illustrated instance, the mechanism 6 includes an extension 1 ofthe frame 8 of the drill head and mounts laterally spaced hydrauliccylinders 9 and ID in which are reciprocably mounted piston rods II andI2 interconnected by a cross head l3.

Rotatably mounted in the cross head [3 is a. kelly or drive rod M whichis preferably of polygonal cross section for sliding rotary connectionwith a suitable rotating mechanism housed within the frame extension,and which effects rotation of the drive rod or kelly while the crosshead is being supported in stationary position or while the cross headis being moved under reciprocation or the piston rods, as when applyingpressure to the drill bit on the lower end of the drill pipe 15.

The lower end of the rod 1 4 is suitably threaded to connect a chuck(not shown) but which is adapted to grip the drill pipe to exert adownward thrust thereon. The drill pipe I5 includes a plurality ofsections that are connected together by tool joints may be increased inlength progressively with progress of the drill bit by adding additionalsections or stands of drill pipe, and the sections may be disconnectedwhen the drill pipe is being pulled from the bore hole as when changingdrill bits or for other reasons well known to those skilled in thedrilling art.

I6, so that the drilling string.

In carrying out the present invention a breakout table II is used touncouple the stands of drill pipe and the power is applied to thebreakout table from the drive or kelly rod of the drill head as now tobe described.

The breakout table I1 is best illustrated in Fig. 6 and includes asubstantially hollow T-shaped body l8, including upper and lower plateportions l9 and I9 conforming to the contour of the table and which areconnected around the marginal edges thereof by vertical plate or wallportions 20, as best shown in Figs. 6 and '7.

Supported by the body l8, substantially in the center of the head of theT-shaped formation, is a rotary element 2| as shown in Fig. 6. Thelateral portions 22 and 23 of the body I8 on the respective sides of theturntable are provided with upstanding lugs 24 and 25, having hooks 26and 21 adapted to engage studs 28 and 29 when the breakout table is indrilling position or studs 30 and 3| when the breakout table is intransport position as later described.

The rearwardly extending portion 32 of the T-shaped body carries arotatory driving member 33 which is in a position to register with thedrive or kelly rod |4 when the drill head is in retracted position asshown in Fig. 2.

Projecting from the rear end of the frame are laterally spaced ears 34and 35 which are pivotally connected to suspension links 36 and 31 by across pin or shaft 38. The upper ends of the links 36 and 31 arepivotally connected with the ends of a cross pin or shaft 39 that iscarried by cars 40 and 4| on the supporting frame 2, as best shown inFigs. 1 and 3. The breakout table is thus adapted to be supported inhorizontal position below the supporting frame of the drill head asshown in full lines Fig. 3 or to be swung upwardly into carryingposition as shown by the u per dotted lines 42 with the hooks 26 and 21engaged with the studs 36 and 3|, or the breakout table may be swungdownwardly and rearwardly from over the bore hole so that it is out ofthe way when pulling casing or performing other operations incidental todrilling.

The rotary element 2| includes a flange or table portion 43 that isrotatably mounted in a bearing ring 44 inset within an Opening of theplate portion l3. Depending from the flange or table portion 43 of theturntable is a sleeve 45 of reduced diameter, and which is rotatablysupported in a bearing ring 4'5 that is supported within an opening inthe lower plate is. The rotary element 2| is restrained from axialmovement in the bearing rings 44 and 46 by plate members 41 that aresecured to the under side of the plate it? by fastening devices 46, andwhich have portions 49 engaging in an angular groove 50 in the sleeveportion of the turntable. The member 2| is provided with an axial borethrough which the drill pipe i5 is adapted to be extended when thebreakout table is in drilling position. The bore 5| has an uppercounterbore 52 to contain a set of slips 53 that set upon a shoulder 54formed by the bottom of the counterbore. The slips include upper andlower arcuate plates 55 and 56 provided with longitudinal recesses tomount rollers 59 which are supported on pins 6|! having their endssupported by the plates 55 and 56 to engage fiat sides 51 within therotary element 2| and effect movement of the rollers into a grippingcontact with a drill pipes tool joint when the turn table is rotated aslater described. Encircling the sleeve of the turntable is a sprocketring 6| having teeth 62 engaged by an endless chain 63 operating overteeth 64 of a sprocket 65 that is formed on the driving member 33, asbest shown on Fig. 7.

The driving member 33 includes a sleeve-like body 66 that is rotatablymounted in bearings 61 and 68 that are carried by disc-shaped plates 69and 10 closing upper and lower openings in the plates l9 and I9 andwhich are secured in position by fastening devices such as cap screws IIand 12.

In the form of the invention shown in Fig. 7 the sleeve-like body has aninner diameter to receive a pilot 13 that is secured through a sleeve 14with the threaded end of the drive rod when the drive chuck is removedtherefrom. The sleeve 14 is provided with depending lugs 15, which areadapted to engage with similar lugs 16 that are formed on the upper endof the sleeve of the driving member as best shown in Figs. '7 and 11.

The driving member shown in Fig. 10 is similar to the driving membershown in Figs. '7 and 11 except that it is provided with a bore havingcross sectional shape corresponding to a driving pilot 11 which in theinstance illustrated is of octangular shape and conforming to theoctangular shape of the drive rod.

In the driving connection shown in Fig. 12, the driving member isprovided with an internal threaded socket 13 having threadscorresponding to the threads on the lower end of the kelly rod 9| or anextension that is adapted to be connected thereto.

The breakout table is provided at the front thereof with handles 19 andl. by which the table may be lifted into and out of its respectivepositions and to facilitate its engagement with the supporting studs. inorder to prevent disengagement of the hooks when in drilling positionbolts 8| and 62 may be passed through suitable openings in the frame atpoints directly over the hooks after they have been engaged with thestuds 28 and 26. A support 63 is provided for the kelly or drive rod l4when the breakout table is in transport position. This support comprisesa cross bar 34 that connects the links 36 and 31.

To facilitate uncoupling of the Kelly or drive rod M, the turntable hasa ratchet that is adapted to engage lugs 66 (Fig. 5) depending from therotary element H. the ratchet comprising a pawl 36 pivoted to theunderside of the breakout table on a stud II. The pawl has a tailportion 8| for connecting a spring 39 which has its other end connectedto a lug 30 on the breakout table.

Assuming that the breakout table is constructed and assembled asdescribed it is mounted on a portable drilling rig below the framethereof by attachment of the linlm as shown. The breakout table is movedto the upper dotted line position as shown in Fig. 8, and supported byengagement of the hooks 26 and 21 with studs 30 and 3|. This position ofthe breakout table gives ample road clearance while the drill is beingtransported from one drilling site to another.

When the drill rig is set up for drilling of a bore hole, the hooks arewithdrawn from the studs 30 and 3| so that the breakout table may belowered to a horizontal position as shown in full lines, Fig. 3, wherethe hooks are engaged with the studs 28 and 29. In this position theslips may be removed and the drill pipe operated by extending it throughthe turntable, or the slips may be left in position and used as a spiderin supporting the drill pipe when additional stands are coupledtherewith.

When the drill head is in drilling position the drive rod is, of course,located directly over the axis of the turntable and the rotatingmechanism of the drilling head is used in rotating the drive rod toeffect rotation of the drill pipe.

When it becomes necessary to remove the drill pipe from the bore hole,as when changing bits or the like, the drill or kelly rod is raisedabove the breakout table and the slips are inserted in the rotary member2! so as to support the drill pipe for disconnection of the drive rod.This is effected by rotating the kelly or drill rod in a direction toeffect unthreading thereof while the drill pipe is held from rotation bythe ratchet 85.

After disconnection of the driving rod, the drilling head is moved toretracted position with the drive rod registering with the drivingmember 33 of the breakout table. The threaded end of the drive rod isthen connected with the driving member by any one of the types ofconnections as illustrated in Figs. and 11, depending upon theconnection which is used. The drill head is thus out of .position sothat the drill pipe may be withdrawn from the bore hole by means of theusual elevator, derrick and tackle mechanism not shown. When the firststand of the drill pipe passes the turntable the slips are caused toengage the drill pipe and the drilling mechanism is placed in operationto rotate the drive or kelly rod M, which effects rotation of the drivemember 33, sprocket 34, chain 63, and sprocket 62 to rotate theturntable in a direction to effect unthreading of the stand of drill ipefrom the drill pipe gripped in the turntable, a suitable tong (notshown) having been applied to the stand of drill pipe to hold the standfrom rotation while the drill pipe in the well is being rotated by thedrive rod.

After disconnection of the stand of drill pipe the elevator is againrecoupled with the projecting end of the drill pipe and another stand iswithdrawn through the turntable so that the next tool joint may besimilarly disconnected. The operations will be continued in like manneruntil the last stand of drill pipe has been removed from the bore hole.

When running casing or other objects too big to pass the opening inturntable the hooks 26 and 27 are disengaged from the studs 28 and 29and the breakout table is dropped to the lower dotted line positionshown in Fig. 3. In this position the breakout table is clear of thebore hole and easing or the like and may be run through or withdrawnfrom the bore hole as desired.

From the foregoing it is obvious that I have provided a breakout tablethat is of simple con struction, and which is adapted for operationunder power of the drive rod so as to eliminate the necessity of theusual catheads or other devices required in breaking the joints of drillpipe.

What I claim and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drilling positions and having adrive rod and rotating means for the drive rod, a breakout tableincluding a body member supported by said frame, a rotary memberrotatable in said body member and having drill pipe gripping means foreiiecting rotation of a drill pipe, when gripped thereby, a drivingmember rotatable in the body member in registry with said drive rod whenthe drilling head is moved out of drilling position, a removable drivingconnection between the drive rod and the driving member, and a drivingconnection between the driving member and the rotary member.

2. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drilling position and having adrive rod and rotating means for the drive rod, a breakout tableincluding a body member, a driving member rotatable in the body member,links pivotally connecting the body member with the frame at an endthereof nearest the driving member, hooks connecting the opposite end ofthe body member with the frame and releasable to shift the body memberdownwardly on said links and out of drilling position, a drill piperotating member rotatable in the body member and having drill pipegripping means for effecting rotation of a drill pipe when grippedthereby, said driving member being in registry with the drive rod whenthe drilling head is moved out of drilling position, a removable drivingconnection between the drive rod and the driving member, and a drivingconnection between the driving member and the drill pipe rotatingmember.

3. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drilling positions and having adrive rod and means for rotating the drive rod, a breakout tableincluding a body member, a driving member rotatable in the body member,means pivotally connecting the body member with the frame at an endthereof nearest the driving member, releasable means connecting theopposite end of the body member with the frame and releasable to shiftthe body member downwardly on said pivot means and out of drillingposition, a drill pipe rotating member rotatable in body member andhaving drill pipe gripping means for effecting rotation of a drill pipewhen gripped thereby, said driving member being in registry with thedrive rod when the drilling head is moved out of drilling position, aremovable driving connection between the drive rod and the drivingmember, and a driving connection between the driving member and thedrill pipe rotating member, said frame having engaging means above saiddrilling position of the body member and adapted to be engaged by saidreleasable means when the body member is swung upwardly on said pivotmeans to provide road clearance.

4. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drilling position and having adrive rod and means for rotating the drive rod, a breakout tableincluding a body member, means for movably supporting the body memberfor movement to and from a position below the drill head, a drill piperotating member rotatable in body member and having drill pipe grippingmeans for eifecting rotation of a drill pipe when gripped thereby, adriving member rotatable in the body member in registry with the driverod when the drilling head is moved out of drilling position, aremovable driving connection between the drive rod and the drivingmember, and a driving connection between the driving member and thedrill pipe rotating member.

5. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drilling position and having adrive rod and means for rotating the drive rod, a breakout table, meansfor supporting the breakout table from the frame, a drill pipe rotatingmember rotatably carried by the breakout table and having drill pipegripping means {or eflecting rtation of a drill pipe when grippedthereby, a driving member rotatably carried by the breakout table inregistry with the drive rod when the drilling head is moved out ofdrilling position, said drive rod having a removable driving connectionwith driving member, and a driving connection between the driving memberand the drill pipe rotating member.

8. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drilling positions and having adrive rod and means for rotating the drive rod, a breakout tableincluding a body member supported by said frame, a drill pipe rotatingmember rotatable in body member, a driving member rotatable in the bodymember in registry with the drive rod when the drilling head is movedout of drilling position, said drive rod having a removable drivingconnection between the drive rod and the driving member, a drivingconnection between the driving member and the drill pipe rotatingmember, and slips carried by the drill pipe rotating member and adaptedfor automatic engagement with a drill pipe upon rotation of the drillpipe rotating member.

7. In combination with a drilling rig having a portable frame, a drillhead movable on the frame to and from drillin position and having a.drive rod and means for rotating the drive rod, a breakout tableincluding a body member, means 8 ier'suppcrting the body member belowthe drill head, a drill pipe rotating member rotatable in body memberand having drill pipe gripping means for efiecting rotation 01 a drillpipe when gripped thereby, a ratchet connection between the drill piperotating member and the body member to eiIect unthreading of the driverod from the drill pipe when the drive rod is rotated in one direction,a driving member rotatable in the body member in registry with the driverod when the drilling head is moved out of drilling position, aremovable driving connection between the drive rod and the drivingmember, and a driving connection between the driving member and thedrill pipe rotating member.

. GEORGE E. FAILING.

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